FSU Research Team Makes Strides In The Fight Against The Zika Virus

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By now, you cannot have escaped the Zika scare. The virus is prominent in South America – which made many nervous about the Olympics being held in Rio – but has spread into the United States. Spread through mosquito bites or sexual activity, Zika is not dangerous to most, but it can be passed from pregnant mother to child and has been linked to serious birth defects. The rapid spread of this disease has left many worried about their safety and led El Salvador to advise women not get pregnant for several years.

The team consists of a mix of badass women and men from Florida State University, John Hopkins University, and the National Institutes of Health. The researchers studied roughly 6,000 different drugs, including existing approved drug compounds, and their effect on Zika. They found that some of the drugs – one which has already been approved by the FDA to treat tapeworm – inhibited Zika replication.

To cure the global health crisis that is the Zika virus, we need researchers who can work quickly and utilize every resource available. This week’s breaththrough is a major step in the right direction. Thank you to these badass men and women working to keep us safe.

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Hattie Weber is a senior editor at Badass + Living. A 2015 college graduate, Hattie is a Texan residing in New York City. Her life experiences – from being a traveler to a debutante to an office manager – have given her a great understanding of her fellow millennials. Hattie has been published in Thought Catalog's "More Than 20 Minutes Of Reading: Everything You Need To Read About The Brock Turner Case & Controversy." Her dedication to those she cares about and her unapologetic honesty are what make her a badass.